Method of applying top or bottom cover paper to boxes and the like



Nov. 22, 1927.

- H. B SMITH nm'raon OF APPLYING TOP 0R BOTTOM covER PAPER TO soxss AND THE LIKE Filed QGII'. 8.- 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Mk: V 5. 5M 7* BY v j WTI'ORN NdvIZZ, 1927. v I I,'65U,399

H. B SMITH METHOD OF APPLYING mo? 0R BOTTOM COVER PAPER 'ro. aoxns AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 8. 1.925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

insane .nnirsn STATES .PA'rnN-roFFrCE rannv nnrne yran SMITH, 013 new YQIjK, is. X. V 7

METHOD OF APPLYING TOP OR BQITQIYI COVER PAPER- TO BOXES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed. Octoberfi, .1925. Serial .No. 61,137.

My invention relates .to a new and in proved method ,of top or bottom papering box parts or similar articles.

In the production of covered boxes by commercial ,inethods largely employed, the side walls of the box shell have cover paper appliedtothem by whatis called astripping operation, or in other ways. Projectingmargins of the cover paper at the open side of the box are turned in andsecured to inner side faces, and, margins of the cover. paper are also turned and pressed on the outer face of the box top or bottom asthecase may be, forming a covered margin, around the entire contour of this wall, which will here-, after he referred .to'as the box top for the sake .of simplicity. This leaves the large central ,area of the top uncoverechand for manylclasses of boxes it is considered necessary also to cover this area of the box.

It has been customary ,to draw the top covering paper from a roller and over a glue roll, out it and ,apply it to the box topsurface at a proper pointto insure that'thetoppingpaper will fully cover the shell surface With proper overlap upon the previously ailiXed margins of the side wall cover pa yer, but withoutany excess which would produce unsightly overlaps of the topping paper. To insure against such overlaps thetopping sheet must be cut shorter than the length of the box top, to provide an appreciable mar gin. It has heretofore-been a difiiculti' atter to properly cut the cover paper for this purpose and these dilticulties have made the process slow and expensive.

The general object of the present invention is toprovide an improved method for applying the top or bottom cover paper, which may be carried out either with simple or rudimentary appliances or with partly or substantially completely automatic machines, so that operationsare practically continuous, and the continuous cover web may be properly measured and applied to the box tops in the proper positions, and cut off in such a way that the necessary edge margins above referred to are preservedfor, in brief, so that the cover paper is properly measured and accurately applied Without care or attention of the operator and very rapidly and economically, resulting in alarge production of topped or bottomed boxes at low cost.

The characteristics and advantages of the which may be employedtofacilitate the in n na ul yse o th in he fo o ng detail description of a representative method embodying the invention, with reference to the accompany g xpla at y d aw ng hich also illustrates simple devices or mechanisms as representative of mechanisms formance of the process. After consider no this explanation, skilled persons will understand that many variations may benadc within the {principles of the invention, and I contemplate the employment of any such variations that are within the scope of the app nde cla ms In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view ho in mec ni m mne yed i t F e a d s llu ratingenr xpla nin one ofthe process steps.

Figs. 2 to 5 inclusiveillustrate successive process steps.

Fig.6 isa perspectiye viewof a completed,

topped or bottomed box part.

A covenreel or platen P is mounted .to rotate on an axis indicated by the sha ft or trunnions l. The platen relat-iv el y fthin and its main faces are covered with pads2 of felt ;or other suitable ,c mpressible mate i'ial. 1 The vertical dimension ofthe platen (transverse its rotative axis) is substantially less-than that'of the'bo'x forms later mentioned Theupperand lower platen edges are facedwith metal stripSB to oo-operate with a cutter fl. Associated lyvith the platen are pairs of boX-side pressingand gripping members 5 and 6 "of which has'a face 7 adapted to gri and press or bend a her; side a t b pe fi ly 1 t platen. Suitable mechanism indicated at 10 is provided for advancing and retracting the grippers at the proper time. i

The operation of covering the tops or bottoms of 'boX parts, is hereafter referred to by way of 'example asa topping opera tion, since the cover paper is applied to the broad top surface ,of a shallow box part, siich as B or B Which is iunderstfood in the present instance to be'the box top. The bottoming operation isthe same and the mechanism be the. same withdue allowance for variation in thedepth of the boxpart. i The continuous web. W of pom fabric or paper'is drawn from a paperro ll It Over Wall; and 'hol 'any'suitable gluing mecha'nis m l5by which respect to the platen is properly coated with adhesive, as indicated by the stippled surface 16.

Box forms F and F are mounted at opposite sides of the platen axis. They are contoured to fit box parts of a. given size such as B and B and are arranged for re ciprocating movement toward and from the platen and for this purpose may be mounted on shafts or rods 20 and 21. One of the forms, such as F also desirably has vertical movement when adjacent the platen, as indicated in Fig. 3. Certain opposite sides, conveniently the vertical sides of the forms, are cut away to provide recesses 23.

Desirably the platen may be located over a carry-oil belt and a guide plate 31 may be provided to-aid in properly directing the completed or topped box parts to the belt, which carries them away to any convenient discharge point.

Fig. 6 shows a typical box part such as a box cover B which might otherwise be a bottom section (with no difference except for dimensions), comprising side walls 40, end walls 41 and top wall 42. The side and end walls and margins of the top adjacent the sides and ends are usually covered with a suitable cover fabric or paper by previous operations, and a top covering sheet 43 is to be applied to overlap said margins, the cover paper being cut or dimensioned somewhat smaller all around than the box top, so as to prevent the possibility of overlapping and also to show a neat trimming edge when an edging strip is used. In this way a completely covered or finished box part is provided. Of course, the box parts it not square, may be positioned with the longer dimension either vertical or horizontal. In the present illustration, the long sides are vertical.

The cover web W is, in this case, of a width equal to the width of the box top less the margins l4, which are not to be covered in order to prevent any overlap, and for other reasons, above mentioned.

In beginningoperations, a length of the cover web is drawn off from the roll it over the gluer 15 and is conveniently directed forward the platen by a guide roll such as 17. The upward portion of the web is held against the platen face P in any conveni at way, while a box part B applied to the form F is brought against the cover paper in properly registered position, so that the marginal clearances as are evenly spaced at the vertical sides of the box top. The form F 'is so positioned vertically that the top wall 421 of the box part is substantially above the upper edge of the platen and specifically this distance is one-half the width of the platen edge 3, plus the top clearance 45, which is to be provided for reasons above stated. The other form F is also similarly positioned and dimensioned with respect to the platen, when in its normal, or vertically-centered location.

The pressing and gripping devices now advanced to engage vertical box walls 40, as shown in Fig. 2. The pressing parts 7 bend in these side walls somewhat, as clearly shown in that figure,to more firmly grip and hold the box part, and prevent slipping, and incidentally to eliminate outward bulge in the walls. Definite association is thus obtained of the first box part with av continuous cover web and of both of them with the platen. For simplicity of explanation, reference to cutting and other operations at this point is omitted, since in fact these operations may be omitted with regard to the first box part in a run.

Form F is now retracted and the platen 5 are is rotated one-halt turn while the grippers '5 remain in active position. Thus, the box part is carried around with the platen and the cover paper is simultaneously pulle from the roll and glued. The box part above mentioned is now in the position of the box B Fig. 1, and coverpaper has been drawn over the upper edge 3 of theplaten and also against the vertical face P as shown in Fig. 1. Grippers 6 are retracted ready for reception oi another box part B positioned on form F the identification of the box parts not being intended to refer to the identical boxes but to their positions in difierent stages of the process. The form is then advanced to place a new box B in the manner previously described, and directly thereafter, the cutter i, which conveniently is a rotary blade to co-operate with the metal strip 3, is rolled over the face of the strip on its central line to the position of Fig. 2, and in doing so, the cover web is'severed, leavin-g glued marginal portions and ol'while form extensions of the cover paper which has been adhesively applied to the tops of two box parts. These margins,'by the natural resiliency of the paper spring up somewhat to approximately the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but will not at this time be applied or allixed to the box top surfaces. immediately after the advance of term F the grippers 6 are admnced to grip and reain the box part B as previously described. The form F is advanced to enter the box part B shortly after part B is positioned by form F The two box parts are then held firmly against opposite sides of the platen. Form F is then movedvertically from the position of Fig. 2 or 2, usually first downward to pull the cover paper apart at the severing line in case a clean cut has not been made, and then to press the upper tree cover margin 51 firmly on the box top near its upper edge margin. The form and box thus reach the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. The form is then moved upward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and in this movement the lower free margin 50 is smoothed and press upon the box top in the proper final position.

Juring toe described vertical movements of the form, the lattn' may be slightly retracted or its pressure relaxed, to avoid reverse friction on the. recently affixed margins while the form is being returned toward normal or central position after the wiping operations. finally the form and box are brought back to normal or centered position inrelation to the platen; This completes the covering of the box at B Form F is withdrawn horizontally, and the presses and gripper elements 6 are withdrawn laterally, permitting the. box part to drop upon the carry-elf belt 30.

The guide plate or defiector'31 serve's'to properly direct the box part to the belt. I

Form F is withdrawn simultaneously with the withdrawal of form F the grippers 6 at the position of Fig. 1 remain in active position to retain the box part which has been positioned against the cover paper by form F in contact with the paper and against the platen.

The platen is now revolved one-half turn as indicated in Fi 5, while the attendant places a new box part on form F In the rotation of the platen the cover paper is drawn over its edge 3 which is approaching uppermost position, as indicated in Fig. 5; at the completion of one-half turn of the platen all parts are in the position of Fig. 1, except that cutter a is in its left hand position free of the platen, instead of in the right hand position, as shown in Fig. 1. The forms are now simultaneously advanced; the grippers are advanced to side press and retain the box part carried by form l3 the cutter is moved to the rightto sever the cover paper at the midwidth of the platen edge 3, producing the flaps50, 51; form' F is then moved first down to wipe and press down the flap 51, and then up to press the lower flap 50, produced by a pre vious cutting action, and further operations are *ontinued indefinitely in the order above described. 7 I

The described or analogous methodsprovide for substantially continuous and rapid operations with minimum labor. Only one unskilled attendant is required to place the b xes on the form F and all other operations may be automatically performed by suitable mechanism such as that described. The present drawings do not show acomplete machine, since the mechanism is not a part of the present invention, but is dis lengths'on one main platen face, with margin 0r flap portions produced by the cutting operation ready for application to marginal portions of the box top by the vertical form movements as above described, and with due allowance for the uncovered edge margins, as also fully explained above, without the difficulties heretofore experienced in properly measuring or cutting off cover paper for this purpose. I

The proper linear movement or guiding of the web in relation to the box tops to insure the proper lateral placing ofthe paper and proper vertical margins 44 may be provided by lateral shifting of the roll of paper in relation to the platen, or vice-versa.

I claim:

1. A method of applying facing sheets to flat surfaces of articles, comprising applying the article faces adhesively to portions of the sheet with the articles in spaced relation so thatan unattached intermediate sheet portion is provided of less length and the sum of the distances between the'points of attachment'and the adjacent ends of the articles, the sheet being bent between the applied articles to allow the stated article spacing, severing said intermediate sheet portions between the attachment points, and afiixing the free sheet portions to the surfaces.

2. A method of facing flat surfaces of arti cles, comprising adhesively applying the faces of a plurality of articles to a continuous sheet with the articles in spaced relation and with the sheet disposed in such form that the combined length of the articles is in excess of the length of the applied sheet, and certain intermediate sheet portions are free from adjacent margins of the article faces, severing; the sheet between adjacent articles, and applying the unattached sheet portions to thearticle faces. i

3. A method of topping box parts and the like, comprising advancing a continuous web of topping material, bending the web, adhesively applying a box part to the web at one ill) side of the bend, advancing the web and applied box part and producing another bend in the web, applying another box part to the web in a position similar to ,the point of application of the first named box part, leaving-the web included in the bend between and free from the applied box parts, severing the web between the box parts, and applying unconnected portions of the web adhesively to the box surfaces.

4. A method of topping boxes and similar articles, comprising advancing a continuous web, bending the web so that adjacent portions are in different planes, applying a box top adhesively to the web at one side of the bend, advancing the web and applied box top and producing another bend, applying another box part to the web in position analogous to the application position of the first lit) box top, severing the web transversely at the bend, and applying free web flaps so pro duced to the box tops to complete the covering thereof with provision of edge margins.

5. A method of covering box tops and similar articles, comprising intermittently advancing measured portions of a continuous web by co-operation with a revoluble platen and producing a bend in the web, adhesively attaching a box part to a portion of the web at one side of the bend, repeating the webadvancing and bending operation, similarly applying another box part to the web, severing the web between applied box parts, and applying free web margii'is so produced to the box faces.

6. A method of covering box tops and sim ilar articles, comprising in ermittently advancing measured portions of a CODtll'ltlOllS web by cooperation with a revoluble platen and producing a bend in the web, adhesively attaching a box part to a portion of the web carried by one face of the platen, advancing the platen web and attached box part with production of another web bend, similarly applying another box part to the web, which is thereupon spaced from the properly attached box part by the portion of the web included in the last produced bend, severing the bend web portion between the box parts, applying free web margins so produced to the box faces, and continuing operations indefinitely so that the advancing web is continued and successive topped box parts are produced, each including a severed part of the web.

7. A method of covering box tops and similar articles, comprising advancing a continuous web in co-operation with a rotary platen and bending a portion of the web about a portion of the plat-en, applying surfaces of successive box parts to the web in association withthe platen atone side of the bend and with marginal portions of the box surfaces free of the cover web adjacent the bends, severing the cover paper substantially at midwidth of the bend, and applying the severed web margins to marginal portions of the box surfaces.

8. A method of covering box tops and similar articles, comprising advancing a continuous web in co-operation with a rotory platen and bending a portion of the web about a portion of the platen, applying surfaces of successive box parts to the web in association with the platen at one side of the bend and with marginal portions of the box surfaces free of the cover web adjacent the bends, severing the cover paper substantially at midwidth of the bend, and moving one of the box parts slidingly in relation to the platen to apply free marginal portions of the cover web to the box surfaces.

9. A method of topping boxes performed in co-operation with a revoluble platen having sides disposed in different planes with an intermediate portion for article spacing and web severing purposes, comprising advancing measured lengths of a continuous web upon the platen sides, applying box tops adhesiv-ely to the web so disposed upon the platen sides with adjacent marginal portions of the box tops extending beyond the platen and free of an intermediate portion of the web disposed on said intermediate platen surface, se *ering the intermediate portion of the web to produce unattached marginal portions, and applying said unattached portions to adjacent marginal surfaces of the box parts.

10. A method of topping boxes performed in co-operation with a revoluble platen having sides disposed in different planes with an intermediate portion for article spacing and web severing purposes, comprising advancing measured lengths of a continuous web upon the platen sides, applying box tops adhesively to the web so that the box tops are located at opposite sides of the platen with adjacent marginal portions of the box tops extending beyond the platen and free of an intermediate portion of the web disposed on said intermediate platen surface, severing the intermediate portion of the web to produce unattached marginal portions, and applying said unattached portions to adjacent marginal surfaces of a box part by movement of said box part in relation to the platen.

11. A method of topping boxes comprising advancing a continuous web of material by rotation of a reel whereby connected lengths of the web are disposed successively on adj acent reel faces with an intermediate bent web portion, applying a box top to a web portion overlying one of the reel faces, partly rotating the reel and carrying the attached box part with it in association with the web, applying another box part to the web in position similar to the application position of the box part first mentioned, severing the web midway of its bent portion and intermediate the applied box parts, and applying separated web marginal portions thus pro duced to adjacent marginal surfaces of the box parts.

12. A method of topping boxes comprising advancing a continuous web of material by rotation of a reel whereby connected lengths of the web are disposed successively on adjacent reel faces with an intermediate bent web portion, applying a box top to a web portion overlying one of the reel faces, partly rotating the reel and carrying the attached box part with it in association with the web, applying another box part to the web in position similar to the application position of the box part first mentioned, severing the web midway of its bent portion and intermediate the applied box parts, and applying separated web marginal portions thus produced to adjacent marginal surfaces of a box part by sliding movement of the box part in relation to the ad acent reel surface.

13. A method of topping boxes comprising tion similar to the application position of the box part first mentioned, severing the web midway of its bent portion and intermediate the applied box parts, applying separated web marginal portions thus produced to adjacent marginal surfaces of the box parts,

and repeating the operations indefinitely with the production at each part turn of the platen of a completed, topped, box part, and

with maintenance of the continuous web for successive application of box parts.

14. A method of topping boxes comprising advancing a continuous. web of material by rotation of a reel whereby connected lengths of the webare disposed successively on adjacent reel faces with an intermediate bent web portion, applying a box top to a web portion overlying one of the reel faces, partly rotating the reel and carrying the attached box part with it in association with the web, applying another box part to the web in position similar to the application portion of the box part first mentioned, severing the web midway of its bent portion and intermediate the applied box parts, applying separated web marginal portions thus produced to adjacent marginal surfaces of a box part by sliding movement of the box part in relation to the adjacent reel surface, and repeating the operations indefinitely with the production at each part turn of the platen of a completed, topped, box part, and with maintenance ofthe continuous web for successive application of box parts.

15. A method of topping box parts and the like, comprising advancing and applying adhesive to a continuous web, bending the web, applying a box part to the adhesive surface of the web at one side of the bend, applying another box part in a relatively similar location, severing the web intermediate the box parts, and applying unconnected portions of the web adhesively to the box surfaces.

16. A method of topping boxes and similar articles, comprising advancing and adhesively conditioning a continuous web, bending the web so that adjacent portions are in different planes, applying box tops to the web inspaced relation at one side of the bend, applying another box part in a relatively similar location, severing the web transversely substantially at the center of the bend, andapplying separated web so produced to box faces to complete the covering thereof, except for an edge margin.

17. A method of covering box tops ant similar articles, comprising intermittently advancing measured portions of a continuous web by co-operation with a revoluble platen and producing a bend in the web, applying adhesive to a surface of the web during advance anterior to the platen, attaching box parts to a portion of the web at one side of the bend, applying another box part in a relatively similar location, severing the web between the box parts and substantially midway of the bent web portion, and applying free web margins so produced to the box faces.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 7th day of October, A. D. 1925.

HARRY BRIDGMAN SMITH. 

